Valmiki Ramayana 1.77.1 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 77, Shloka 1

सप्तसप्ततितमः सर्गः

Ayodhya Return, Bridal Reception, and Bharata’s Departure

Devanagari script

गते रामे प्रशान्तात्मा रामो दाशरथिर्धनु:।वरुणायाप्रमेयाय ददौ हस्ते ससायकम्।।1.77.1।।

Transliteration

gate rāmē praśāntātmā rāmo dāśarathir dhanuḥ |

varuṇāyāprameyāya dadau haste sa-sāyakam ||

Translation

When Rāma Bhārgava had departed, Rāma, son of Daśaratha—his mind serene—placed the bow together with its arrow into the hand of Varuṇa, of immeasurable might.

Word by Word

• gate: when (he) had gone
• gate: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gam (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle) from √gam; सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular), पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग-रूप (here with rāme: locative absolute)

• rāme: when Rama (Paraśurāma)
• rāme: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular); सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute)

• praśāntātmā: of tranquil mind
• praśāntātmā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praśānta (प्रातिपदिक) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास (one whose self is calm); पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण (qualifying rāmaḥ)

• rāmaḥ: Rama
• rāmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा, एकवचन

• dāśarathiḥ: son of Daśaratha
• dāśarathiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāśarathi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपाधि (patronymic)

• dhanuḥ: bow
• dhanuḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanus (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• varuṇāya: to Varuṇa
• varuṇāya: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varuṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• aprameyāya: to the immeasurable one
• aprameyāya: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aprameya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying varuṇāya)

• dadau: gave
• dadau: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• haste: in (his) hand
• haste: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hasta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• sasāyakam: together with the arrow
• sasāyakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्गार्थ) + sāyaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास (with arrow); नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying dhanuḥ)

Context

When Parasurama departed, Rama, son of Dasaratha with a serene mind gave the bow along with the arrow to Varuna of immeasurable strength.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (Dāśarathi)
• Paraśurāma (departing reference)
• Varuṇa
• dhanuḥ (bow)
• sāyaka (arrow)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma includes restraint after victory: once the threat is resolved, Rāma returns the weapon and re-establishes balance rather than clinging to power.

What is the narrative situation?

After Paraśurāma leaves, Rāma calmly relinquishes the divine bow and arrow, handing them to Varuṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Praśānti (inner calm) and aparigraha-like non-possessiveness toward instruments of power.